Relax!! There's still time to save!!

 

Wow!  Where did the holiday go?  

Maybe you and your family have been away on vacation.   Maybe you've been busy visiting family, or getting your kids ready for summer camp (or summer school.)  Or maybe you've been staying home, fighting off allergies, or ash from the Maritime fires.  Or maybe, like myself and my coworkers, you've been simply busy working through the holiday period and juggling life.

But... maybe now you're kicking yourself, thinking that you might have missed out on all the great savings Manny's offered during its Independence Day promotion.

If that's the case, you needn't worry!  Nearly all the specials are good through July 12th.  That's an extra week to save significant $$ on new appliances for your home.

Just how good are these specials?  Let me share a couple amazing examples:

https://www.mannystv.com/products/GE-Appliances/ge/js760spss.html

This range is one of my favorites, even when not on a promo like this!  This a backless range (great for island installations, or simply for showing off your new tile or backsplash), with a large capacity self-cleaning oven, true "European convection," (essentially two convections speeds: one for baking, one for larger cuts of meat.) plus an air-fry feature (here's a secret:  air frying is taking advantage of the convection fan feature already in this range!), It even is wi-fi compatible!   And... all for under $1000!

Now, due to demand this range is temporarily on backorder from GE, but will be replenishing soon.  As long as you order the range by July 12, you can take advantage of this amazing deal!

Here's another unbelieveable deal, just as impressive:

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Whirlpool/whirl/wrf555sdfz.html

Here we have over 25 cubic feet of American made, American owned, energy-star refrigeration!  Adjustable shelving, a fingerprint-resistant finish, with an ice and water dispenser in the door!   And all for hundreds less than regular price, or even a "normal" sale price.  

If you're prefer a modern looking, stylish refrigerator without the water dispenser, Whirlpool has a companion piece:

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Whirlpool/whirl/wrf535swhz.html

These are just a couple examples of what we can offer you at Manny's in the coming days.   We have many others, including a LG counter-depth fridge with an insta-view window for $1300 off! Or, this  Frigidaire Gallery counter-depth four door refrigerator for $1400 (!!) off regular price,

https://www.mannystv.com/products/lg/lrfoc2606s.html

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Frigidaire/frig/grmc2273cf.html

Now, I really don't plan on using this blog to be just a glorifed commerical, but - some of these deals are nothing less than specatular, and easily the biggest discounts we've seen since the start of the Pandemic.  

So as I said earlier... there's still time to take advantage of our knowledgable sales staff, our own delivery and service people, our quick delivery turnaround time, our twelve month deferred financing, and our exlcusive rebates on two or more appliances.

One last suggestion:  

Please hurry!  These savings do end shortly!

 Fourth of July!!

                                                      

Manny's Fourth of July Sale is currently in full swing!  Price reductions, featuring promotional incentives from various appliance manufacturers, are in place. 

As our inventory levels keep recovering, we're seeing the most aggressive discounts from major manufcaturers such as Whirlpool, GE, LG, and more, since pre-Pandemic days.  The discounts in play right now will give you the best pricing until the traditional Black Friday/Black November sales. 

Think of the end of June through the beginning of July as a "Summer Black Friday" promotion!

However, as I mentioned in a blog last month, these discounts will vary from model to model, and sometimes even color-by-color.  Here's an example from one of our most popular ranges:

The price tag (and the other price tag below) is the actual price tag from Sunday June 18 on a Samsung gas range. 

Self-cleaning, five burners, griddle, convection oven - this range offers a lot of features for a great promo price!  $779 in stainless steel, or $799 for the newer black stainless color.  But-what if you want this range in white?   Well... it's available, but I would have to sell it to you for $1149, which is more in line with what this range sells for in stainless when not on a manufacturer promo.

This isn't Manny's decision.  Samsung has chosen to promote and aggressively discount the newer and more popular colors (stainless and black stainless), while also choosing to not discount the traditional older white color.

Here's another example, this one even more extreme:  a GE counter-depth French door fridge with an ice-and-water dispenser (probably the priciest category of standard refrigerators!)

This model, the GYE22GYMFS, is fully loaded! Counter-depth, ice and water dispenser, LED lighting, Energy Star qualified, and USA made!  The sale price through July 12 is an amazing $2199 -- in fingerprint resistant stainless steel.  

Note that GE also offers this model in black slate and slate colors, but without any promotional incentives ($3238 and $3418 respectively).  

If you're confused, fear not!

Manny's can help you out!

Yes, we at Manny's can assist in helping find the right fridge for you, in a variety of colors, and at the right price.  If in stock we can usually bring that fridge to your home in three days or less!  What else besides advice do we offer to you, the consumer, in the way of services?

• The backing of our own service and delivery departments.
• Financing plans up to 12 months with no interest (see a salesperson for details.)
• Thousands of products ready for delivery in three days or less.
• Aggressively priced extended service plans to give you extra peace-of-mind
• Ten convenient locations, plus the ability to order online 24-7-365.
• Exclusive rebates on select packages of two or more pieces

In closing.... if you're ready to purchase a new kitchen appliance, whether a replacement range or washer, or even a complete new kitchen suite, now's the right time!  Let us help you out!

Energy!! (Or, why does my new dishwasher take so long?)

Remember Reddy Kilowatt, this charming spokes"man" for the electricity industry?  I do - vaguely!

Energy use of kitchen appliances first became the subject of attention by consumer advocates and environmentalists after the OPEC oil embargoes of '73-74, and again in '79.  I remember fondly waiting in a gas line overnight one Thursday in August 1979  so I'd be able to get a tank of gas in my 14 mile a gallon Mercury and drive down to Misquamicut with my friends for the weekend.  

Well, things have changed, and mostly for the better! Consumers and manufacturers have become energy conscious. My Prius gets approximately triple the mileage of that old Mercury.  Kitchen appliances have also become more efficient and green.   Energy use and water usage have been drstically reduced.   Coolants in refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are more environmentally friendly.  

The appliance categories that have changed the most in the last generation are clothes washers, refrigerators, and dishwashers.  I'd like to talk about these three groups.

Washers

Chances are you know someone who hates, or at least dislikes, their new washer.  Perhaps they don't like how little water goes into many of the cycles.  Perhaps they don't like the much longer cycle times conpared to older machines.

https://www.whirlpool.com/content/dam/business-unit/whirlpool/en-us/marketing-content/blog-posts/washing-machine-cycle-time-chart.pdf

Simply put, the Department of Energy has pushed appliance manufacturers into making washers that use 50% less water and energy (and sometimes more than that) than their predecessors.  

Today's machines also spin out water in the final rinse cycle at a higher RPM than older machines, which helps to cut down on both drying time and energy use by the dryer (not to mention less wear-and-tear on your clothes from "baking" in the dryer!) The tradeoff for the decreased energy use is that cycle times are longer, in some cases - especially in "heavy duty" and "bulky" cycles - as much as 90-120 minutes longer.

If cycle time is important to you, some models are more accommodating then others.  For example,  Speed Queen top loading washers feature a 32 minute regular wash, or a 41 minute wash with an extra rinse!  Electrolux front loading washers have quick cycles that can wash smaller loads in as little as fifteen minutes!

                      

Refrigerators

Refrigerators have become dramatically more efficient, as the article below points out:  

https://mn.gov/commerce-stat/pdfs/refrigerators-and-freezers.pdf

Fridges also tend to be:

• larger (in all three dimensions).
• brighter on the inside (due to the use of LED lighting).
• more environmentally friendly (due to newer coolants).   

Today's units employ better temperature management inside the fresh-food compartment (the "refrigerator" portion) due to more accurate thermostat systems, which allows perishables to last longer.  Also, fridges come in a greater variety of styles and sizes.

In my twenty-five plus years of selling refrigerators I have seen several mandates by the D.O.E. for increased energy efficiency.  It is not unrealistic to expect your new fridge to pay for itself over the unit's life!

Do refrigerators cost more?  Well, yes, but in terms of "real" dollars you really aren't paying more than you would have twenty-plus years ago for a similar unit.

Dishwashers

Let's talk about the one aspect of today's dishwashers about which I hear the most complaints:  cycle times are so much longer than in the past!!  

This is true.  The average cycle length of a "Normal" cycle is generally a bit over two hours.  Every residential dishwasher in production will have these longer cycle lengths.  The only way to have your dishwasher take less time is to use the "short" or "light" cycle, which usually takes 48-60 minutes.

Fortunately, today's dishwasher offers a host of improvements over older models that hopefully compensate for the cycle time.

• Water consumption and energy use is dramatically reduced.
• Dishwasher interiors have become more roomy, making it easier to fit larger platters and pans.
• Shelf space inside dishwashers has been increased, largely through the use of a third rack available on about half the current models.
• Dishwashers as a group have become quieter, in some cases approaching silence!
• Dishwashers do a better job cleaning by using better filters, strategically placed racks, and internal water heaters to help dissolve grease.

So, while you might be less than thrilled with your new dishwasher's cycle length, at least you can be reassured that your appliance is saving you labor by cleaning your dishes for you.  I find it helpful to remember that my dishwasher is cleaning for me while using gallons less water than if I was washing my hand.

Feel free to reach out via our comments section if you have any questions or thoughts on this!

 Manny's Appliance Blog #4

Refrigeration

Picture this scenario:  It's 7:15 on a Wednesday morning.  You reach into the freezer portion of your kitchen refrigerator to grab some food for your family's various lunches, and you notice the carton of ice cream is soft.  You examine further, and discover the steaks and ice cubes aren't completely frozen. 

Your freezer is failing.   You mutter an expletive or three under your breath.  Now what do you do?

Service options

If your refrigerator is less than a year old, which means your fridge is still under manufacturer's warranty (usually one year parts and labor), then the solution is simple:  You need a service tech.  You can call the manufacturer's toll free number, or go onto their website.  You can also call Manny's service department (855-862-6697), and we can schedule one of our qualified service technicians to come to your house, diagnose, and ultimately repair your appliance.

If your refrigerator is between one and five years old, your options vary.  Perhaps you had the foresight to purchase an extended warranty, either through the fridge's manufacturer or a third party.  If you bought your fridge from Manny's, you might have also purchased one of our extended service plans.  In either of these cases, once again your plan is simple:  Take advantage of the service contract, and get a technician out to your house at no charge to address the fridge's problem!

But... if your refrigerator is out of warranty, the alternatives aren't as easy.  You can call a service tech and pay their diagnostic trip charge (usually $125-$200), and hope the repair is both simple and inexpensive. If you have an older unit, you might decide replacement might be a better option.

Replacement options

If you do decide to replace, Manny's can certainly help you out!

Now, if this happened a couple of years ago, when appliance availability was crippled by both the pandemic and all the well-known supply chain issues, you might have had a more difficult problem, as the fridge you want might well have been unavailable.  I had customers waiting as long as a year, in a few isloated cases even longer, for certain hard-to-find sizes.  Fortunately, choices are much more plentiful than in 2021-22, and in most cases Manny's can get a new, functioning, energy efficient fridge in your home within 3 business days or less!

So.... what do you need to know in order to properly buy the right refrigerator for you home?  Below are the questions your Manny's sales professional will be asking you:

1)  Size - Unlike other appliances such as ranges and dishwashers, refrigerators vary in width, height, and even depth!  If you're looking for one of the more "contemporary" styles such as a French Door style fridge, most models are built for the modern kitchen opening of 69-70" high, 36" wide.  If your kitchen doesn't have that space, your choices become more limited.  Single door models, top or bottom freezer style, will max out at 32 7/8" wide, and are built to fit the older 33" space.   

Whichever style you are thinking about, you definitely want to measure before you buy - a lot of homes in New England have kitchens built for 33" fridges!

2) Style - Refrigerator styles are classified by the location of the freezer: top freezer, side-by-side, single door bottom freezer, or French door bottom freezer.  If you're on a budget, or if this is just a basic fridge for an apartment or the basement, you'll find a traditional top freezer style is the least expensive (and generally the smallest size-wise.) French door fridges, currently the most popular from a design standpoint,  tend to be the most expensive.

One more thing:  if you are considering a full-width refrigerator, there are shallower, "counter-depth" models available.  Expect to pay a small "style premium" to have your fridge not extend as far into your kitchen.

3) Ice - Almost all styles except for top-freezer models come with a pre-installed ice device. Side-by-side models have an external ice and water dispenser in all except for two models.  Single door bottom freezers will normally have an internal icemaker.  French door models are available with a choice of an internal icemaker, or an external ice-and-water dispenser.  You can expect to pay an upcharge for an external dispenser.  Top freezers for the most part do not automatically ship with icemakers, but one is normally available as an add-on.

4) Color - Stainless steel, often coated to cut down on fingerprints, is still the most popular color.   What I call the "stainless alternatives", such as black stainless, slate, black slate, etc., have become more popular the past few years, but are still not as popular as stainless.  White and black are still usually available, but these colors normally sell as single-piece replacements rather than in a new kitchen suite.  

Are you looking for off-white?   Ouch! Bisque is essentially extinct, while the older almond color went the way of the dinosaur and the passenger pigeon almost two decades ago.

A couple of notes regarding today's refrigerators:  

Every fridge on the market is dramatically more efficient than a generation ago. Units that are "energy star" qualified exceed the DOE standard by an additional 15%.  While that may only be $7-10 per year, the Energy Star designation may qualify you for a rebate through your utility company.

https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/save-money-energy/efficient-products/energy-star-appliances

Lighting on the majority of units is LED, which is both whiter and more energy efficient.  

In most cases, the fridge you buy today will be a little deeper than the unit you're replacing.   Be aware of this!  Also, check your doorways and any 90 degree turns into your kitchen.  No one, neither you or we, want to deliver a fridge that doesn't fit!

(If you have any questions, we'll be glad to help!  Contact a sales professional at your nearest Manny's, or reach out to us online.)

 Induction cooking -- What is it?

In recent months, you might have run across an article in the news such as this:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a42490007/gas-oven-ban-stove-top-health-concerns/

Now, just to put your minds at ease, we know of no pending legislation that attempts to outlaw gas ranges, so if gas is your fuel preference when it comes to cooking, with the pinpoint flame control and  instant cool-down, you can go ahead and buy that new gas stove with confidence!

But, perhaps you are concerned about the future of gas ranges.  Or, perhaps you currently own an traditional electric range, but would like to have the ability to instantly adjust the burner heat that only gas cooktops have offered in the past.

Well, there is a solution,  That solution is "Induction cooking".

No doubt by now you've at least heard about, or read an article about, induction electric ranges, You may know someone who has purchased an induction range.  Maybe you have friends or family in Europe, where induction technology has been the norm for decades

So, just what is induction cooking?   This is the best explanation I could find, from an article on Whirlpool's website:

"Induction cooking is a method of cooking that uses a copper coil underneath the cooking surface to generate electromagnetic energy. This energy transfers directly to your cookware to make it hot enough to cook food."

As I said, I think that's a great explanation of the science.  But let's get practical -- what does this do for me, in my kitchen? Just how will an induction range benefit me in my kitchen?

Again, I quote from Whirlpool's article:
https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/what-is-induction-cooking.html

                                                             ***

Speed

Induction cooking allows for fast cooking because the energy transfers directly to the cookware, so little to no hear or energy is lost between the cooking surface and your food.  This means you can boil water or sear food quickly.

Responsivness

Heat adjustments on an induction cooktop or range happen instantly, so you can heat or cool down your pot or pan quickly.

Induction vs. electric cooktops 

While electric and induction cooktops may look the same, they transfer heat differently. Electric cooktops radiate heat from coils beneath the cooking surface through to the bottom of the cookware sitting on top. Induction cooktops transfer energy to create heat directly within a pot or pan.

                                                                ***

Basically, with an induction range you get the pinpoint control of gas - but with so much more power!  Because the cooking vessel itself becomes the heat source, the energy is transferred much more efficiently. Pots of water boil several times faster than an old gas range!  The surface doesn't get hot as it does on traditional electric ranges, so cleanup is easier, as spillovers don't burn on the cooking surface.  The cooking surface is cool within seconds of turning off the stove, so the range is much more kid-friendly!

So, what are the downsides?   Well, the biggest obstacle I hear when customers ask me about this relatively new technology involves their cooking pans.  Yes... your pan has to be able to hold a magnet - either it does, or it doesn't.  Cast iron, and many modern cookware sets, work fine. If you have access to a magnet at home, stick the magnet on the side of your cooking utensil.  If the magnet stays put, you're good to go!

If your pans are not magnetic, it's easy and not that expensive to replace them. Two years ago my wife and I purchased an induction range.  It's easy to spend a lot of money on kitchen gadgets, but she was able to find a full set of useful, induction-ready pans for under $200.

What are the downsides?  First, you will pay more for an induction top range than a traditional model, (but the price will be a LOT less than converting a kitchen from electric to gas!)  Because interest in induction cooking has spiked since the potential pitfalls of gas have been in the news, you may run into a short-term availability issue. Also, the electromagnetic waves may affect people with pacemakers - check with a medical professional to determine whether you can use an induction cooktop.

However, if you cook as a hobby, or even if you cook because you "have to", I think you'll find induction cooking pretty amazing!!

Before signing off, I'd just like to post one more article that gives a balanced looks at induction cooking, including some reasons why this technology hasn't taken off in the U.S. the way it has in other parts of the world.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/why-dont-people-use-induction-cooktops/

If you have any questions on induction (or anything else appliance related for that matter!) please reach out to us, either on this website, or by contacting any of our ten locations.

 

 

Manny’s Kitchen Talk Blog for 5-17

You’re about to see a big increase in advertising in the coming weeks for major appliances, as promotions centered around Memorial Day and then Independence Day begin.  I get asked three questions frequently when holiday promos start: 

1.   Is this really a sale?

2.   How long will I have to wait for my product to be delivered?

3.   If everyone’s having a sale, why should I buy from Manny’s?

I’d like to address these questions today.

Is this really a sale?

Back in the last millennium, well, back in the 90’s, there was an (now defunct) appliance retailer whose advertising would always proclaim “One Year Price Guarantee!”.  You might notice that no one proclaims price guarantees after a sale anymore.  

Why is that?  The simple answer is that manufacturers choose which items they wish to promote and discount, through price reductions to retailers.  In effect, these manufacturers are putting their products “on sale” to the retailers!   Specific items, and sometimes only in specific colors, are discounted to retailers for specific periods of time.  These discounts are then passed on from a retailer like Manny’s to you, the customer.  Most of these discounts are timed to coincide with holiday weekends.  Some of these discounts, especially in higher priced categories like refrigerators and upper-end laundry, can amount to hundreds of dollars!

So, if the price tag on a product in our store that you like says the sale price ends on, for example, June 7, that means exactly that.  Once these manufacturer discounts go away, the sale price will return to its original price.

How long will I have to wait for my product to be delivered?

At the worst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, it was not at all unusual for a customer to have to wait months for certain products to become available for delivery.  And no, the appliance industry wasn’t the only industry to suffer from the well-publicized supply chain issues that occurred between mid-2020 well into 2022.

I’m ecstatic to say that those severe supply issues are mercifully behind us!  Availability of appliances has been improving steadily for almost a year now.  While selection isn’t quite at pre-Covid levels, most models are now available.  In most cases, Manny's can deliver these appliances in 2-3 business days!  And, if a particular appliance you like is out of stock, Manny’s can usually give you a back-in-stock date that is reliable. 

If everyone’s having a sale, why should I buy from Manny’s?

Here are three reasons:

• I already mentioned one of the big reasons for buying from us in the last section:  we can deliver most in-stock merchandise within 2-3 business days  The long waits of the Covid-19 era are over
• What about exclusive rebates?  As inventory levels return to normal, appliance manufacturers are again offering rebate incentives.  While all stores, including the “Big Box’ retailers, offer rebates, we have access to rebates that are NOT available at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.  In many cases Manny’s can offer these exclusive rebates on laundry sets, and on appliance packages of three or more pieces (ask any of our salespeople for specifics.)
• We know that purchasing a major appliance is an important purchase for you and everyone in your family. Information and choices can be overwhelming at first, and there is no shortage of opinions, reviews, and ratings online.  With Manny’s, you will be working with a locally owned company with knowledgeable and well-trained professionals, from your salesperson to the delivery team that brings your brand-new appliance into your home. We appreciate your trust in us when you give us your business, and we want to keep you as a customer next time you need something!

Thanks for reading!  Next week I’d like to discuss some of the more popular product trends and changes.  See you then!

Welcome to a new feature on our website,  “Kitchen Talk!”

This will be an ongoing series, with updates every one-two weeks. I will be discussing a variety of subjects, including new product highlights, buying advice and suggestions, trends in the industry, and help with kitchen planning.  Today I’ll talk about air conditioning, but first I’d like to mention some of the reasons you should be thinking about buying at Manny’s. 

So… let’s start there and jump right in!

Why buy at Manny’s??

I can think of lots of reasons, and I’ll explore some of these in more detail in later blogs.  For now, let me list a few:

** Our price and selection is equal to if not better than the “big box” stores.

** Many of our sales staff and support teams have literally decades of experience in the appliance industry.

**  We are locally owned and operated.  

**  We can usually deliver product in 2-3 business days.

**  We offer installation and repair services, giving you a “one stop” shopping experience whenever possible.

** We often have rebates and other monetary incentives that the big chains do not offer.  (I’ll talk more about this next week, when Memorial Day promos begin.)

In other words, our aim is to give our customers service, advice, and support that exceeds our competition!

How to choose the right air conditioner

A couple of weeks ago we all got a taste of what summer heat will be like, and for a lot of people that meant thinking about air conditioning.  Let me offer some general suggestions to assist you in choosing the right unit for your home.

Factors to consider are:

 Where is the unit going?  

**The most popular type of unit is the traditional window unit, which is designed to fit into a double-hung window with expandable flaps to fill the window space.  Other types of units include:

** Portable units that wheel around and duct hot air and humidity out of the room with a hose that is roughly the size of a dryer vent.

** Through-the-wall units that can be mounted into “sleeves” built into a wall in a person’s home.  These are very common in condo and apartment complexes.

**  Window units with a “slide-out chassis”.  These units are usually larger BTU units that can be adapted for through-the-wall installation.

What size outlet do I need?

Nowadays most air conditioners up to 15,000 BTU can run on a standard 15 amp circuit (the type of plug you use for lamps, televisions, etc.)  Larger units require larger amp circuits.  Check your plug type before buying!

How quiet will my unit be?

It’s good to remember that an air conditioner WILL make noise!  As a general rule, air conditioners get relatively quieter as the price goes up, even just a little bit!  Decibel ratings for air conditioners are not standardized (such as with dishwashers, for example), so manufacturer claims for noise - or lack thereof - should be taken as guidelines only. 

What size unit should I get??

         This is THE big question for most people!!  To start, here’s a standard sizing chart that              gives the recommended BTU based on room size:

https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=35138

This chart, and hundreds like this can be found online, and is a great place to start.  Also, keep in mind that “bigger is not necessarily better!”  Too large a unit will cool the room down too quickly, and not operate long enough to properly remove humidity.

Also, these guidelines are meant to apply to a single room!  

If you are trying to cool multiple rooms or floors, the sizing gets trickier.Ideally, you should consider buying a separate air conditioner for each space in your home.  For example, I have four units in the Ranch that I own:  three small units for each bedroom, and one larger unit for the kitchen/dining room/living room.   Cold air doesn’t “travel” well, as it tends to sink as it moves away from the air conditioner.   If you have no choice but to use one large unit for multiple rooms, ceiling and stand-up fans help move the cold air into the farther rooms.  You want to keep the cool air moving!

At Manny’s, we offer a selection of brands in all sizes, from 5,000 BTU units designed for small bedrooms, to 32,000 BTU units for offices and large areas. Our sales staff will be happy to answer any specific questions or concerns you might have, and we will do our best to help you choose the right unit for you.

Well, that’s it for this week!  Thanks for reading, and thank you for browsing our website and (hopefully!) considering us for your next major appliance or air conditioner purchase!